Opened bonnet...BUT..what an awful design!?!

After finally getting round to try and fix my bonnet release cable that had snapped, I found quite an easy way to undo the bonnet with the cable snapped.

Basically, bend the plastic grille down, hold it open with something plastic to stop damage to the bonnet, and you can undo the 2 bolts one the bonnet latch that is on the actual bonnet. A bit fiddly, but do-able.

(If the moderators think I should put a how-to-do elsewhere, please lket me know)

Great I thought, done the hard bit, now just to change the cable. Not so!

First instruction in Haynes for removing bonnet lock? - REMOVE RADIATOR!

So, to replace the bonmnmet cable I will have to first remove the radiator, bonnet, etc - that is about the worst bit of design I have ever set eyes on!

Sorry, just had to rant to someone other than the wife, and who may understand my frusatration!!

Oscar

oh ****!!........

should have bought a series they don't have cables

you don't remove the radiator, just remove the two top mounts that unscrew from the slam panel and the radiator becomes floppy enogh to give you the space you need to replace cable, sometimes try to do these jobs with the minimum of fuss and dramatics and you will achieve a great deal

Well done, at least I know how to fix mine if it ever breaks now.

as soon as you notice the bonnet release handle getting stiff to operate change the release cable for a new one, stiffness caused by rust swelling cable at bonnet end, eventually breaking off rather than sliding in the outer, britpart cable around a fiver + vat so does not break the bank

hi everyone .... i'm so glad i read your thread .... my bonet release cable has snaped. but ive now got the bonet up by undoing the two 10mm bolts that attach the catch to the bonet (10minutes work)..now that the bonet is up i can now solve the problem of the engine not starting ... again thx

If you think that's the worst bit of design ever, just wait till you have to change the rear wheel arch fuel filter. WTF!!! :frusty:

Oscar22 said:

After finally getting round to try and fix my bonnet release cable that had snapped, I found quite an easy way to undo the bonnet with the cable snapped.

Basically, bend the plastic grille down, hold it open with something plastic to stop damage to the bonnet, and you can undo the 2 bolts one the bonnet latch that is on the actual bonnet. A bit fiddly, but do-able.

(If the moderators think I should put a how-to-do elsewhere, please lket me know)

Great I thought, done the hard bit, now just to change the cable. Not so!

First instruction in Haynes for removing bonnet lock? - REMOVE RADIATOR!

So, to replace the bonmnmet cable I will have to first remove the radiator, bonnet, etc - that is about the worst bit of design I have ever set eyes on!

Sorry, just had to rant to someone other than the wife, and who may understand my frusatration!!

Oscar

Click to expand...

my wife understands my frustrations only too well....nothing to do with Land Rovers though

Fantastic advice,just the 2 bolts.As you say a bit fiddley but done it in 40mins,great and thanks.